TPL_BEEZ2_SEARCH

General European Highlights

EuCheMS Year Book 2014EuCheMS published its Year Book for 2014. This publication contains a rich overview of the association´s activities, awards and Member Organisations. Special attention is given to the work of EuCheMS Divisions and Working Parties, the thematic sections of EuCheMS. The publication is downloadable here.Source: www.euchems.eu

EuCheMS Awards: Call for NominationsEuCheMS, which is particularly aware of the crucial role that the recognition of merit plays in the advancement of chemistry, has launched a call for nominations for the EuCheMS Award for Service and the EuCheMS Lecture Award.The Award for Service acknowledges outstanding commitment with regard to fostering chemistry and molecular sciences in Europe and the goals of EuCheMS. Nominations must demonstrate achievements for improved competitiveness, visibility, coherence or structure of chemistry in Europe.The Lecture Award serves to promote excellence in research and scientific cooperation among chemists in Europe. The Lecture is normally awarded annually to a prominent chemist from a European country.Nomination forms are downloadable here: Service Award; Lecture AwardDeadline: 30 June 2015

Members of the European Parliament Waiting for New Waste PackageThe European Commission announced during a European Parliament debate that will soon present a new action plan and directive on waste, after having withdrawn its original proposal. According to the Commission, the new package will be more ambitious and will have a strong focus on circular economy. MEPs saw the new waste package as an opportunity to promote a more ambitious and integrated approach to waste management, with concerns with the sustainability of materials´ management, namely raw materials, and the creation of synergies between different sectors. During the debate, the Commission also announced that a public consultation on this new proposal will take place in the upcoming months.Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/; http://www.europarl.europa.eu/

Reports on MOOC Strategies in EuropeThe European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) published a report on Institutional Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) strategies in Europe. It presents data on the perception and objectives of European higher education institutions on MOOCs and the main drivers behind the MOOC movement. The report made clear that involvement in Europe is still increasing, but also that arguments to get involved differ from those in the United States.Moreover, EADTU and several institutions, projects and associations have recently drafted the Porto Declaration stating the need to further develop European MOOCs and inviting other organisations to support this declaration.Source: http://www.openuped.eu/; http://www.eadtu.eu

European Commissioner Praises the Role of ResearchersIn a recent speech on the Energy Union and renewables, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Commissioner Cañete, has highlighted European researchers, “one the best assets we have”. According to Commissioner Cañete, investing in renewable research and innovation is fundamental, namely in emerging areas, such as offshore wind, ocean energy or advanced biofuels.Source: http://europa.eu/

Ukraine Joins Horizon 2020 to Work with EU in Science and ResearchFollowing an agreement for the Association of Ukraine to Horizon 2020, researchers, businesses and innovators from Ukraine will now be able to fully participate in Horizon 2020, the European Union's research and innovation funding programme, on equal terms with EU Member States and other associated countries.Source: http://europa.eu/

Towards a Method for Cytotoxicity Screening of Nanomaterials The results of an inter-laboratory comparison study on a method for assessing the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials have been published. This is an important step towards a harmonised method for toxicity screening of nanomaterials.Source: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/

New Information System on Raw Materials The JRC has launched the Raw Materials Information System (RMIS), a comprehensive online repository of information on policies, activities and data related to the European raw materials sector. The RMIS supports a series of European Commission initiatives which aim to tackle the pressure on valuable resources and their more efficient use to the benefit of EU’s economies.Source: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/

Moldova Report on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood PolicyA new Science and Innovation Code was adopted to stimulate innovation by fostering applied research and by encouraging closer cooperation between the academic and the research sectors. In March the Moldovan Academy of Sciences organised the official regional launch of the 'Horizon 2020' Programme while the agreement on Moldova’s participation in the 'Horizon 2020' Programme was signed in July. Moldova is the first Eastern Partnership country who signed up to the programme. Moldova currently participates in the Tempus programme, Erasmus Mundus, Marie Skodowska-Curie actions and Erasmus+.Source: http://danube-inco.net/

European Investment Bank Backs Education, Innovation, and Research InvestmentsThe Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank meeting on 12th March approved more than EUR 9 billion of new loans to support long-term investment in 28 projects across the European Union, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus region, and South America. Agreed projects include improvements in education and research facilities, and investment in advanced R&D, amongst others.Source:http://www.eib.org/infocentre/

Consultations and Roadmaps

Consultation on addressing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and LULUCF in the context of the 2030 EU climate and energy frameworkThe European Commission has launched the consultation on the integration of agriculture, forestry and other land use into the 2030 EU climate and energy policy framework. It seeks input on evaluation of current policies and the policy options to be assessed following the European Council's endorsement of the climate and energy framework in October 2014.Deadline: 18 June 2015Website: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/

Publicy Consultation on the Active Substance Oxathiapiproline The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has published a public consultation on the active substance Oxathiapiproline. EFSA will assess and publish all comments from interested parties.Deadline: 15 May 2015Website: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/

Business Updates

Commission Supports Innovative SMEs with Over €130 Million in New Grants387 innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are on track to receive a total of €130.6 million in new grants from Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding programme. These are the latest results of calls under the €3 billion SME Instrument, launched under Horizon 2020 to help innovative small firms get ideas from the lab to the market and help generate growth and jobs for Europe.Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

EuCheMS-CNC @ Expo 2015

Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, 11 May 2015A series of EuCheMS-CNC lectures will take place during Expo 2015 in Milan. Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, Utrecht University, will give his lecture “Towards a Circular Economy? – Catalysis for the Production of Biomass-Based Building Blocks” at the Palazzo delle Stelline - Corso Magenta 59/61, Milano, on 11 May, 15:00.Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/